Rep. Stephanie Barnard prefiles bipartisan GRID ACT to propel clean energy innovation in Washington

Rep. Stephanie Barnard, co-chair of the Legislative Nuclear Energy Caucus (LNEC), has taken a significant step towards incentivizing the clean energy sector in the state by prefiling bipartisan legislation.

House Bill 1908, titled the “Grid Reliability Innovation for Decarbonization Act” or GRID ACT, seeks to establish a program that provides much-needed financial assistance for utility-scale projects focusing on emission-reducing electricity generation or storage, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

Discussing the significance, particularly within her district, Barnard, R-Pasco, emphasized the urgency of the moment.

“Time is of the essence. With our state experiencing growth in population, businesses, and energy demands, it’s crucial our state supports innovation that produces reliable, affordable energy in alignment with our state’s clean energy goals.”

Barnard’s legislation addresses the financial risks associated with implementing emerging clean energy technologies by allocating $100 million to the Net-Zero Grid Transition Financial Assistance Program. The legislation proposes grants for pre-development, design, engineering, permitting, and site preparation costs, actively supporting the growth of utility-scale electric generation projects that play a vital role in advancing the state’s decarbonization strategy.

“If we want to lead the world in clean energy innovation, we need to support emerging technologies. The GRID ACT not only removes financial barriers but also ensures our state remains at the forefront of the global clean energy movement, bringing concrete benefits to the state and the 8th District, which is already heavily invested in these endeavors,” affirmed Barnard.

To qualify for support, energy projects must involve a new or emerging technology whose practical application is largely unrealized at a commercial scale and is consistent with the state energy strategy. The bill considers non-emitting electric generation sources and grid-scale energy storage projects being among those that may be eligible. Priority is given to projects with the potential to attract both federal and private funding, facilitating their successful completion.

The 60-day 2024 legislative session is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 8, and will conclude on March 7.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov